How to decode a 2015 BMW i3 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2015 BMW i3 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer in the world, serving as a critical component of a vehicle’s identification number (VIN). It consists of the first three characters of the VIN and provides essential information about the vehicle, including the manufacturer name, where it was produced, and the type of vehicle it is. For the 2015 BMW i3, the WMI indicates that BMW AG is the manufacturer, located in Munich, Germany. This specific model is recognized as a passenger car, demonstrating how WMIs offer a concise yet comprehensive overview of a vehicle’s origins and category. By decoding the WMI, one can verify the manufacturer’s identity and the vehicle’s place of construction, enhancing our understanding of the vehicle’s background.

List of WMI Codes for a 2015 BMW i3

WMI: WBY

Model Years Covered: 2014-2021
Example VIN: WBY1Z4C50FV277816
Manufacturer Name: BMW AG
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Munich
State or Province:
Country: Germany

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2015 BMW i3 VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

Engine type
Transmission
Model or trim
Body style
Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 2015 BMW i3:

Known VDS for a 2015 BMW i3
1Z4C5	1Z2C5

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 2015 BMW i3 VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 2015 BMW i3 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
F	2015

11th Character in the 2015 BMW i3 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2015 BMW i3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
V	Leipzig		Germany		WBY1Z4C50FV277816

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2015 BMW i3

The final 6 characters in a 2015 BMW i3’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your BMW i3’s VIN below:

How to find a 2015 BMW i3’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2015 BMW i3 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW i3. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a plate at the base of the dash.
Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your BMW i3. The VIN might be found on a sticker or label where the door latches when closed.
Inspect the front of the engine block. For the BMW i3, since it’s an electric vehicle, this area might not apply, but for traditional combustion engine cars, the VIN can often be found stamped on the engine.
Check underneath the vehicle. Sometimes the VIN is stamped on the chassis or the frame of the BMW i3, but you may need to look carefully as this can be a less common spot.
Examine your vehicle’s insurance or registration documents. The VIN of your BMW i3 will be listed on any official documentation related to the vehicle.
If your BMW i3 has a rear storage compartment or a trunk, sometimes the VIN may be located in these areas—often on the inside of the compartment doors or on the underside of the trunk lid.

What info can a 2015 BMW i3 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2015, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Electrification Level: The vehicle might be identified as a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), blending electric propulsion with traditional gasoline engines for enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
Engine and Power Details: Detailed engine information such as displacement in liters (0.6 L), and engine power, with horsepower starting from 170, can often be extracted. This also includes the number of cylinders, in this instance, 2.
Fuel Type: Insight into the vehicle’s primary and secondary fuel types can be provided, with examples including Electric as the primary and Gasoline as the secondary, illustrating vehicles that can use more than one type of fuel.
Safety Features: The presence of safety features, including front and knee airbag positions for both the driver and passenger, and whether the vehicle includes a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), can be highlighted, ensuring an understanding of the protection measures equipped.
Body Class and Size: Information on the body class, for instance, Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback, along with details such as the number of doors (5), supports identifying the vehicle’s size and style.
Manufacturing Details: The manufacturing plant’s location, such as Leipzig, Germany, provides insight into the vehicle’s origin, potentially affecting perceptions of craftsmanship and quality.

Don’t have your 2015 BMW i3’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2015 BMW i3

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Displacement (CC)	600.0
Displacement (CI)	39.5
Displacement (L)	0.6
Doors	5
Electrification Level	PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
Engine Brake (hp) From	170
Engine Number of Cylinders	2
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Electric
Fuel Type - Secondary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Model	i3
Model Year	2015
Plant City	Leipzig
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Germany
Pretensioner	Yes
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	3-Series
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	Range Extender
Vehicle Descriptor	WBY1Z4C5*FV
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WBY1Z4C50FV277816